NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
615 reports105,774 miles · May 22, 2014
Air Bags
ON SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE NORTHBOUND ON CA-57 THROUGH BREA WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I DID NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT NOR WAS THERE AN EMINENT ROLL OVER. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, BUT I…
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ON SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE NORTHBOUND ON CA-57 THROUGH BREA WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I DID NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT NOR WAS THERE AN EMINENT ROLL OVER. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE STOPPED, I OPENED ALL THE WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE SMOKE FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593321
139,000 miles · May 5, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
NHTSA ODI #10586566
150,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, DECELERATION BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES LINES HAD RUSTED. THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS AND FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, DECELERATION BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES LINES HAD RUSTED. THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS AND FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 06/27/14*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10584189
124,000 miles · Apr 18, 2014
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BOLT DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10583495
155,207 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
DRIVING DOWN STATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE BATTERY GAUGE WENT TO "L" AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. PULLED INTO APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALL LIGHTS AND BELLS WERE STILL WORKING. AAA WAS CALLED AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THE STARTER WAS GOING BAD. THE STARTER IS LESS…
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DRIVING DOWN STATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE BATTERY GAUGE WENT TO "L" AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. PULLED INTO APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALL LIGHTS AND BELLS WERE STILL WORKING. AAA WAS CALLED AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THE STARTER WAS GOING BAD. THE STARTER IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AS IS THE BATTERY. WAS TOLD IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE STARTER NOR THE BATTERY AND ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE CAUSE. ENGINE HAS NOT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SINCE BUT AM APPREHENSIVE TO DRIVE VERY FAR FROM HOME. WILL WAIT FOR 3RD DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578250
120,000 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 MPG VEHICLE STALLS THEN PROCEEDS, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COURSE OF 1 YEAR. ONE LATER INCIDENT ENGINE DIED BUT RESTARTED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER COMPLETELY DIES. AFTER SEVERAL HRS VEHICLE RESTARTS. FORD MECHANICS CLAIM THEY CANNOT MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. IT WILL NEVER STALL OR QUIT WHEN IT'S IN THE SH…
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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 MPG VEHICLE STALLS THEN PROCEEDS, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COURSE OF 1 YEAR. ONE LATER INCIDENT ENGINE DIED BUT RESTARTED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER COMPLETELY DIES. AFTER SEVERAL HRS VEHICLE RESTARTS. FORD MECHANICS CLAIM THEY CANNOT MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. IT WILL NEVER STALL OR QUIT WHEN IT'S IN THE SHOP. I'M AFRAID THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SOMEONE'S DEATH TRAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567718
154,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 02/27/14*LJ UPDATED 02/27/14
NHTSA ODI #10561006
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
BULBS MELTING THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY INTERNALLY. THIS HAPPENED TO ORIGINAL AND RECENTLY REPLACED UNIT. BULBS WERE SEIZED TO THE PLASTIC MOUNTING AND MELTED/DEFORMED BOTH BULB MOUNTS AND REFLECTOR. UNIT IS NOW DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555165
130,000 miles · Nov 4, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
WAS DRIVING THE 2003 EXPEDITION ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR PENSACOLA, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP, LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE A WRECK AND MY FAMILY AND I WAS SAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AT LEAST 10 SO FAR. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH, THE FUEL FILTER, HAD THE INJECTORS INSPECT…
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WAS DRIVING THE 2003 EXPEDITION ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR PENSACOLA, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP, LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE A WRECK AND MY FAMILY AND I WAS SAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AT LEAST 10 SO FAR. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH, THE FUEL FILTER, HAD THE INJECTORS INSPECTED AND IT STILL DOES IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW LEAKS DOWN ONTO THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL AND IS CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SHORT OUT. IN ALL CASES ONCE THE VEHICLE COOLS DOWN, THE CAR STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 4 GARAGES AND NOW I HAVE IT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN PENSACOLA. WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE P0231 CODE KEEPS RE-APPEARING IN THE SYSTEM (FUEL PUMP RELAY CIRCUITRY) WHICH SHOWS THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE FUSE PANEL SINCE THE FUSES ARE SOLDERED TO THE BOARD AND NOT PLUGGED IN. HOPEFULLY FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM AND WILL ORDER A RECALL SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550793
120,000 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFire
WE MOVED IT AROUND IN OUR SHED AT ABOUT 10PM ON 6/16/12 AND WE AWOKE AT 4 AM TO OUR SHOP, MACHINE SHED, AND CHICKEN COOP ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE LOST OVER $100,000 IN PROPERTY. THE FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED THAT OUR FORD EXPEDITION WAS TO BLAME AND THAT IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL. WE ONLY HAD LIABILI…
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WE MOVED IT AROUND IN OUR SHED AT ABOUT 10PM ON 6/16/12 AND WE AWOKE AT 4 AM TO OUR SHOP, MACHINE SHED, AND CHICKEN COOP ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE LOST OVER $100,000 IN PROPERTY. THE FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED THAT OUR FORD EXPEDITION WAS TO BLAME AND THAT IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL. WE ONLY HAD LIABILITY ONLY ON 2 OF THE 3 VEHICLES IN THE SHOP ALONG WITH OUR MOTORCYCLE AND TRAILER SO THEY WERE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. I THINK FORD SHOULD OF COMPENSATED US FOR THE ITEMS WE DID NOT GET PAID FOR. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, AND COMPENSATE THE PEOPLE THAT HAD FIRES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10544395
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head
Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
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